Shirt



S. D. BLUE SHIRT Jan. 16, 1934.

Filed sept.` 15, 1952 INVENTOR S/o/vey LUE.

BY QW ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 16, 1934 UNITED STATE/S PATENT OFFICE Application September 15, 1932 Serial No. 633,304

Claims. l

This invention relates to shirts.

In the ordinary type of shirt worn by men, fabric, either a single, unitary portion, or a plurality of portions united into a single, unitary member,

5 provides two free edges which, in such customary construction, are positioned with relation to the sleeves of the garment so that such edges will, when the garment is worn, be at the front of the wearer. These edges then have made a part of, l() or secured to, them means by which they may be retained closed together while the garment is worn. Customarily, this means is comprised of buttons, sewed or otherwise applied to the one free edge, and, at the other edge, openings for the reception of these buttons. When the edges are thus buttoned together, it is a well known fact that, during the wearing of the shirt, it is a common occurrence that, if of the ordinary soft variety, the bosom of the shirt, due to its pliability, will take on all sorts of shapes distorted from the desired flat appearance, a condition which, of course, is undesirable to one who seeks to be well dressed.

It is an object of the invention to provide, for

association with a shirt of the type indicated, a

simple means which, as desired, may be assembled at will with a shirt of this variety, or may be removedfrom the association, the means funetoning, when in the assembly, to rigidify at least a substantial portion of the shirt front. Since that portion adjacent the neck-band is the portion .of the shirt generally exposed to View when the shirt is worn, it is at this portion of the shirt that the association is at present contemplated.

This rigidifying means is constructed and associated with the shirt so that it, in no way, changes the outward appearance of the ordinary shirt of this type. In fact, by a simple alteration of shirts now in use, provision may be made for the assembly therewith of rigidifying means in accordance with the invention. When assembleohthe rigidifying means is concealed completely, and its presence is not noticeable except in that the general appearance of the shirt is improved.

The specific structure used to effectuate these results comprises a means which is assembled with the shirt without affecting the normal construction thereof; it is assembled with the free edges which are to be buttoned together. Because of the usual, present-day construction of the free edge having the buttonholes formed therethrough, that one has been selected for association therewith of the stiffening member. The buttonhole free edge normally is reinforced by a plurality of fabric thicknesses, provided at that point and through all of which thicknesses the buttonholes are formed.

The edges of the slit through the thicknesses to form the holes are all sewed together as a unit. Therefore, although there are passages between the several thicknesses, obstructions are raised, by the sewed buttonholes, to a clear passage between the thicknesses. It is an object of the invention to provide, for assembly with this type of shirt construction, a substantially stii member, preferably a plate of pronged construction. This plate may be inserted between the fabric thickmesses; by reason of the prong construction, it may be slid through the passages and past the buttonholes, finally being concealed entirely within the passage.

Other objects of this invention will hereinafter be set forth, or will be apparent from the description and the drawing, in which is illustrated an embodiment of a shirt modified to carry out the invention.

The invention, however, is not intended to be restricted to any particular construction or arrangement of elements, or to any particular application of such construction, or to any specific manner of use, or to any of various details thereof, herein shown and described, as the same may be modified in various particulars or be applied in many varied relations without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, the practical embodiment herein illustrated and described merely showing one of various forms and modifications in which the invention might be embodied.

On the drawing, in which the same reference characters refer to the same parts throughout, and in which is disclosed a preferred embodiment:

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of a shirt modifled to embody the invention, portions being broken away to disclose the stifening member;

Fig. 2 is a detail elevational view of a portion of the shirt as seen at its inner face;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional View, on the line 3 3 of Fig. l, illustrating the arrangement of the stiffening member within the reinforced buttonhole edge of the shirt;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view, on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1, illustrating the arrangement of the rein.- 105 forcing plate with relation to the buttonholes, and the association of the button and the non-interfering association of the buttonhole and the button; and

Fig. 5 is a view in perspective of a plate` used 110 for stiffening the shirt construction, in accordance with the invention.

In shirt 10, shown on the drawing, an article of generally customary manuiacture is involved. Therefore, the manner of assembly of neck-band 12, sleeves 14 and other portions o the shirt with body portion 16 need not be described in extenso here. Such shirts generally are formed of fabric portions which provide, when the shirt is worn, free edges 18 and 20. These edges are intended to be brought together, and then they will be located at the iront of the wearer. Customary construction involves the application of buttons 22 in spaced apart relation along one free edge 18, while the other free edge 20 has openings or buttonholes 24 formed therethrough.

In the usual construction of shirts of this character, edges 18 and 20, by reason of the amount of stress applied thereto in buttoning and unbuttoning the shirt, and also since the free edges are intended to be starched heavily to give to the shirt front body or stiffness for retaining the front of the shirt in neat appearing forni, are reinforced in some manner. In most cases, this reinforcing takes the form of building up the edge with a plurality of thicknesses of fabric.

In this particular article shown on the drawing, edge 20 is formed by sewing an additional portion 25 of fabric onto body portion 16; then portion 26 is folded over body portion 16 in such manner that it forms a layer 28 disposed on the outside face of this edge of portion 1S. rlhe layer and the body portion are then stitched together along parallel lines 30 to retain the layer neatly in position. Then the holes for buttonholes 24 are cut, after which the edges or" the holes are sewed around, that is, all the cut edges of the several layers are bound together.

There may also be associated with portions 16 and 26, a band or strip 32 which, in the formation of lines 30, will thereby be united positively with both portions 16 and 26. It also will be bound, in like manner, by the sewing of buttonholes 24. Strip 32 is generally provided as an additional receptive medium for starch or similar materials used when laundering the shirt to present it in its stiffened formation. A passage 34 could be formed by opening out portion 16 from strip 32, the sewed edges of opening 24 re straining full separation of strip and portion.

For the purposes of this invention, at the rear face of portion 16 and between lines 30, a slit 36 is made in the fabric portion 16, thus providing ingress to passage 34. When the slit is made, that slit will open only to the rear face of strip 26. For assembly within passage 34, by insertion through slit 36, there is provided a plate 38. Preferably, this plate is of a width sufficient to t substantially tightly within passage 34.

At least a portion of the plate is solid, as at 40. Beyond portion 40, the plate is formed with a pair of prongs 42, providing a slot 44 terminating in an enlarged opening 46, which may be rounded. The plate is inserted, prongs foremost,

.l through slit 36, and slid up through the passage.

"z clearance to make expansion of the buttonhole possible for permitting easy assembly of the button with the buttonhole. constriction, in any manner, of the buttonhole, when receiving the button, is thus avoided. When the plate has been fully inserted, the free end 52 of solid portion 40 may be covered by drawing the bottom free nap edge 54 at slit 36 over end 52, thus serving to conceal the plate completely.

While, on the drawing, the plate is shown to encompass but a single buttonhole, it is to be understood that the number of buttonholes encompassed, within the scope of this invention, is at the election of the manufacturer.

Many other changes could be effected in the particular apparatus designed, and in the methods of assembly set forth, and in specific details thereof, without substantially departing from the invention intended to be dened in the claims, the specific description herein being merely to illustrate an operative embodiment carrying out the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed as new and useful is:

1. In articles oi wearing apparel for men, a dress-shirt comprising fabric formed into a desired form for reception over the body of the wearer and having free edges disposed for positioning reiatively to the chest of the wearer', means associated with the free edges for retaining them secured one to the other when the shirt is worn, said means including buttonholes in one edge for engagement by buttons on the other edge, the iirst edge being formed of multiple thickness, the buttonholes being formed through all the thicknesses of the material, and stiffening means received between thicknesses to rigidify the buttonhole free edge, said means having a longitudinal slot so that the means, at the position of the buttonholes, may straddle the buttonholes and permit the means to be slid, at will, between the thicknesses.

2. In articles of wearing apparel for men, a dress-shirt comprising fabric formed into a desired form for reception over the body of the wearer and having reinforced free edges disposed for positioning relatively to the chest of the wearer, means associated with the free edges for retaining them secured one to the other when the shirt is worn, said means including buttonholes in one edge for engagement by buttons on the other edge, the nrst edge being reinforced by being formed oi multiple thickness, the buttonholes being formed through all the thicknesses of the material and the thicknesses of the material being secured together at the holes, and stiiening means received between thicknesses to rigidify the buttonhole free edge, said means and the thicknesses being formed so that the means may, at will, be slid between or be removed from association with the thickness.

3. In articles of wearing apparel for men, a dress-shirt comprising fabric formed into a desired form for reception over the body of the wearer and having reinforced free edges disposed for positioning relatively to the chest or" the wearer, means associated with the free edges for retaining them secured one to the other when the shirt is worn, said means including buttonholes in one edge for engagement by buttons on the other edge, the rst edge being formed of multiple thickness, the buttonholes being formed through all the thicknesses of the material and the thicknesses oi the material being secured together at the holes, and stiiening means received between thicknesses to rigidity the buttonhole free edge and encompassing'the secured edges of thebuttonholes, said means and the thicknesses being formed so that the means may, at will, be slid between or be removed from association with the thickness.

4. A garment for wear by men consisting of a shirt capable of being opened at the front, the shirt being made up from fabric to define a pair of separated, vertically extending edges disposed, when worn, at the front of the garment, one of the edges being reinforced by being formed of a plurality of fabric thicknesses, that edge having openings formed therein for cooperation with buttons secured on the other edge, the thicknesses of` material being movable apart to provide a passage immediately at the openings, and means for insertion into and removal from association within the passage and immediate propenquity to the openings for rigidifying a portion of the reinforced edge.

5. A garment for Wear by men consisting of a shirt capable of being opened at the front, the shirt being made up from fabric to denne a pair of separated, vertically extending edges disposed, when Worn, at the front of the garment, one of the edges being reinforced by being formed of a plurality of fabric thicknesses, that edge'having openings formed therethrough and the fabric i thicknesses being secured together at the openings, the openings being provided for cooperation with buttons secured on the other edge, the thicknesses of material being movable apart to provide a passage, and means for insertion into andrev moval from the passage for rigidifying a portion of the reinforced edge, the means extending into the passage beyond andencompassing the openings.

6. A garment for Wear by men consisting of a shirt capable of being opened at the front, the

.plurality of fabric thicknesses, that edge having openings formed therethrough and the fabric thicknesses being secured together at the openings, the openings being provided for cooperation with buttons secured on the other edge, the thick- .nesses of material being secured together along separated, substantially parallel lines to provide a passage, and means for insertion into and removal from the passage for rigidifying a portion of the reinforced edge, the means extending into the passage beyond and encompassing the openings.

7. A garment for wear by men consisting of a shirt capable of being opened at the front, the shirt being made up from fabric to define a pair of separated, vertically extending edges disposed, when worn, at the front of the garment, one of the edges being reinforced by being formed of a plurality of fabric thicknesses, that edge having openings formed therethrough and the fabric thicknesses being secured together at the openings, the openings being provided for cooperation with buttons secured on the other edge, the thicknesses of material being secured together along separated, substantially parallel lines to provide .a passage, and a stify iiexible member for insertion into and removal from the passage for rigidifying a portion of the reinforced edge, the member extending into the passage beyond and encompassing the openings.

8. A garment for Wear by men consisting of a shirt capable of being opened at the front, the

shirt being made up from fabric to denne a pair of separated, vertically extending edges disposed, when Worn, at the front of the garment, one of the edges being reinforced by being formed of a pluralityl of fabric thicknesses, that edge having openings formed therethrough and the fabric thicknesses being secured together at the openings, the openings being provided for cooperation with buttons secured on the other edge, the thicknesses of material being secured together along separated, substantially parallel lines to provide a passage, and a substantially dat, stifliy iiexible member for insertion into and removal from the passage for rigidifying a portion of the reinforced edge, the member being substantially equal in width to the Width of the passage when the fabric is stretched, the member extending into the passage beyond and encompassing the openings.

9. A garment for wear by men consisting of a shirt capable of being opened at the front, the shirt being made up from fabric to denne a pair of separated, vertically extending edges disposed, when Worn, at the front of the garment, one of the edges being reinforced by being formed of a plurality of fabric thicknesses, that edge having openings formed therethrough and the fabric thicknesses being secured together at the openings, the openings being provided for cooperation with buttons secured on the other edge, the thicknesses of material being secured together along separated, substantially parallel lines to provide a passage, and a substantially flat, stiffly fiexible, pronged member for insertion into and removal from the passage for rigidifying a portion of the reinforced edge, the member being substantially equal in Width to the Width of the passage when the fabric is stretched, the member extending intoA the passage beyond the openings and the prongs extending on either side of the openings.

l0. A garment for wear by men consisting of a shirt capable of being opened at the front, the shirt being made up from fabric to define a pair of separated, vertically extending edges disposed, when Worn, at the front of the garment, one of the edges being reinforced by being formed of a plurality of fabric thicknesses, that edge having openings formed therethrough and the fabric thicknesses being secured together at the openings, the openings being provided for cooperation with buttons secured on the other edge, the thicknesses of material being secured together along separated, substantially parallel lines to provide a passage, a slit intermediately of one of the fabric thicknesses to form an inlet to the passage, and a substantially flat, stifliy iiexible, pronged member for insertion into and removal from the passage through the slit for rigidifying a portion of the reinforced edge, the member being substantially equal in Width to the Width of the passage When the fabric is stretched, the member extending into the passage beyond the openings and the prongs extending on either side of the openings.

1l. A garment for Wear by men consisting of a shirt capable of being opened at the front, the shirt being made up from fabric to denne a pair of separated, vertically extending edges disposed, when Worn, at the front of the garment, one of the edges being reinforced by being formed of a plurality of fabric thicknesses, that edge having openings formed therethrough and the fabric thicknesses being secured together at the openings, the openings being provided for cooperation with buttons secured on the other edge, the

thicknesses of material being secured together along separated, substantially parallel lines to provide a passage, a slit intermediately of one of the fabric thicknesses to form an inlet to the passage, and a substantially flat, stifliy flexible, pronged member for insertion into and removal from the passage through the slit for rigidifying a portion of the reinforced edge, the member being substantially equal in Width to the width of the passage when the fabric is stretched, the member exlending into the passage beyond the openings and the prongs extending on either side of the openings, the opening between the prongs being just suficient to permit the secured edges of the fabric at the butonhole openings to pass between the prongs.

12. A garment for wear by men consisting of a shirt capable of being opened at the front, the shirt being made up from fabric to define a pair of separated, vertically extending edges disposed, when worn, at the front of the garment, one of the edges being reinforced by being formed of a plurality of fabric thicknesses, that edge having openings formed therethrough and the fabric thicknesses being secured together at the openings, the openings being provided for cooperation with buttons secured on the other edge, the thicknesses of material being secured together along separaed, substantially parallel lines to provide a passage, a slit intermediately of one of the fabric thicknesses to form an inlet to the passage, and a substantially flat, siiflly ilexible, pronged member for insertion into and removal from the passage through the slit for rigidifying a portion of the reinforced edge, the

member being substantially equal in Width to the width. of the passage when the fabric is stretched, the member extending into the passage beyond the openings and the prongs extending on either side of '.he openings, the openings between the prongs being just sufcient to permit the secured edges of the fabric at the buttonhole openings to pass between the prongs, portions of the prongs being cul. away to enlarge the opening at a predetermined point to free the secured edges of the fabric at the buttonhole of restraint against distension.

13. In articles of Wearing apparel for men, a dress shirt comprising fabric formed in'Jo a desired form for reception over the body of the wearer' and having free edges disposed for positioning relatively to the chest of the wearer, means associated with the free edges for retaining them secured one to the other when the shirt is worn, said means including buttonholes in one edge for engagement by buttons on the other edge, one of the edges being formed of multiple thickness, the buttonholes being formed, and the buttons being secured, through all thicknesses of the material at their respective edges, and stiening means received between thicknesses of material at an edge of multiple thickness to rigidify the free edges, the siffening means being slotted longitudinally so that the means may, at will, be slid relatively to the retaining means.

14. In articles of Wearing apparel for men, a dress shirt comprising fabric formed into a desired form for reception over the body of the wearer and having reinforced free edges disposed for positioning relatively to the chest of the wearer, means associated with the free edges for retaining them secured one to the other when the shirt is worn, said means including buttonholes in one edge for engagement by buttons on the other edge, one of the edges being reinforced by being formed of multiple thickness, the multiple thicknesses of fabric being secured together at the posifion and by the application of said retaining means, and stiffening means received between thicknesses of material at an edge of multiple thickness to rigidify the free edges, said stiiening means being formed so that the means may, at will, be slid past the secured retaining means.

15. A garment for wear by men, consisting of a shirt capable of being opened at the front, the shirt being made up from fabric to dene a pair of separated, vertically extending edges disposed, when the shirt is worn, at the front of the garment, one of the edges being reinforced by being formed of a plurality of fabric thicknesses, means for securing the iwo edges together, said means being applied to the edges, the means applied to the edge of a plurality of thicknesses being assembled in such relationship that the fabric thicknesses for the limited extent of the securing area are retained against movement with relation to each other, the thicknesses of material otherwise being movable apart to provide a passage, and means for` insertion into and removal from a position within the passage for rigidifying a portion of the reinforced edge, said rigidifying means encompassing the secured portions of the thicknesses at which the securing means partially closes the passage.

SIDNEY D. BLUE. 

